HealthPartners Web site now helps users identify flu symptoms, treatment advice

HealthPartners also launches flu public service announcement

October 12, 2009

Minneapolis, Minn. -- HealthPartners announced today that it has developed an interactive feature on its Web site to help visitors identify flu symptoms and get advice. The new feature uses the same flu triage process that HealthPartners nurses and doctors use with patients over the phone.

Visitors to the flu information page on healthpartners.com can check a box next to one or more of eight flu symptoms and click to submit the list for instant advice. The feature will evaluate the combination of symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment. The feature also includes information to help users know if they are at risk for complications from the flu and what to do if their symptoms do not improve or get worse.

"Patients have been inundated with a lot of information on both seasonal flu and H1N1," said Jim Nordin, MD, a pediatrician with HealthPartners Medical Group. "Since this year's flu season overlaps with the fall allergy season, it's natural that patients have many questions about what to do when they experience flu-like symptoms, and this can help."

HealthPartners developed the interactive feature to complement the nurse hotline, phone care and Web-based online patient services that it offers. Since January, HealthPartners nurse hotline has experienced a 60 percent increase in flu-related calls.

HealthPartners has also launched an animated public service announcement to promote flu prevention strategies on Twin Cities' television stations. The PSA, which takes a light-hearted approach to flu prevention, is endorsed by the Hennepin County and Ramsey County departments of health. The PSA will air throughout the fall and winter.

---

About HealthPartners
Founded in 1957, the HealthPartners (www.healthpartners.com) family of health care companies serves 1.25 million medical and dental health plan members nationwide. It is the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the nation, providing care, coverage, research and education to improve the health of members, patients and the community. For the fourth year in a row, HealthPartners is rated one of the best commercial health plans in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, NCQA's "America's Best Health Plans 2008."

Contact: 952-883-5223
Cell: 612-201-4511